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Overview

The fifth and sixth seasons of The Adventures of Superman close out Warner Home Video's DVD release of the series in the same grand style seen on the earlier season installments. As with Seasons Three and Four, which had short production schedules of 13 episodes each, owing to the switch to color shooting, there are a total of 26 episodes in the five-platter package, with all of the bonus materials this time confined to the fifth disc. The full-screen (1.33-to-1) film-to-video transfers are, if anything, generally slightly better and more consistent in these two rounds of episodes than on the previous color releases, and run rings around the old laserdisc releases, but there's still considerable variation in color tones between shots and scenes in the same episodes, owing to weaknesses in the preservation of original materials. Some shots (starting with the main-title sequence) have a depth and richness that approaches Technicolor, while others have a pale, dupey quality, for which the producers have done a fairly good job of compensating in the transfer itself. The sound is consistent, and set at a healthy volume, and the same easy-to-use menu seen on earlier volumes is present on each of these discs. The DVD volume closes out with a close look at the character of Jimmy Olsen as portrayed by Jack Larson, who has participated in the supplementary sections of all of these releases -- the interview and factual material are good as far as they go, but one heartily wishes that someone had drawn Larson out on what he learned as an actor on the series from director Tommy Carr, who helmed a major part of the first two seasons, and also from some of the veteran co-stars and guest stars; the most entertaining moment in the entire round of supplements derives from this volume, and a fan reaction to a dual role that he portrayed in one episode of the series. Given the usual track record on vintage series supplements for DVD, it's difficult to complain too loudly about the shortcomings, although one does hope that Larson will write an autobiography someday that really addresses his work, the series, and his character, which is one of the most memorable portrayals in early television.

Menu

Disc #1 -- Adventures of Superman: The Complete 5th and 6th Seasons - In Color Play Episodes Peril in Paris Tin Hero The Town That Wasn't The Tomb of Zaharan The Man Who Made Dreams Come True Disappearing Lois Special Features See Other Discs for Special Features Languages Spoken Languages: English Subtitles: Français Subtitles: Español Subtitles: Off Web InfoDisc #2 -- Adventures of Superman: The Complete 5th and 6th Seasons - In Color Play Episodes Money to Burn Close Shave The Phony Alibi The Prince Albert Coat The Stolen Elephant Mr. Zero Special Features See Other Discs for Special Features Languages Spoken Languages: English Subtitles: Français Subtitles: Español Subtitles: Off Web InfoDisc #3 -- Adventures of Superman: The Complete 5th and 6th Seasons - In Color Play Episodes Whatever Goes Up The Last Knight The Magic Secret Divide and Conquer The Mysterious Cube The Atomic Captive Special Features See Other Discs for Special Features Languages Spoken Languages: English Subtitles: Français Subtitles: Español Subtitles: Off Web InfoDisc #4 -- Adventures of Superman: The Complete 5th and 6th Seasons - In Color Play Episodes The Superman Silver Mine The Big Forget The Gentle Monster Superman's Wife Three in One The Brainy Burro Special Features See Other Discs for Special Features Languages Spoken Languages: English Subtitles: Français Subtitles: Español Subtitles: Off Web InfoDisc #5 -- Adventures of Superman: The Complete 5th and 6th Seasons - In Color Play Episodes The Perils of Superman All That Glitters Special Features Superman's Pal: Jimmy Olsen Justice League Heroes Video Game Trailer Languages Spoken Languages: English Subtitles: Français Subtitles: Español Subtitles: Off Web Info

Editorial Reviews

With The Adventures of Superman at the peak of its popularity -- ranking sixth among all independently produced shows then in syndication -- producer Whitney Ellsworth saw no need to tamper with a winning formula. The 13 episodes made during 1956's Season 5 are comparatively weak ones, with the writers trying out different ideas and concepts while maintaining the juvenile tone that had typified the previous two years' offerings. More episodes centered on Daily Planet reporters Lois Lane (Noel Neill) and Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larsen), with Clark Kent and Superman (George Reeves) often making token appearances. One of the best Lois-Jimmy escapades, "The Tomb of Zaharan," finds the nosy newshounds held captive by the descendants of a fanatical religious cult who believe that Lois is the reincarnation of their ancient queen. The inexplicably well remembered "Mister Zero" stars diminutive actor Billy Curtis as a Martian visitor to Metropolis who at one point actually utters the oft-parodied command "Take me to your leader." The sixth season's 13 episodes, produced in 1957, were also on the silly side, but they produced a few favorites -- such as "Superman's Wife," in which veteran pin-up model Joi Lansing appeared as a plucky policewoman whom the Man of Steel marries, much to Lois Lane's chagrin. Reeves himself directed several of the final episodes, of which "The Perils of Superman," a lighthearted romp spoofing old cliffhanger movie serials, is certainly the best. "All That Glitters," directed by Reeves from a script co-written by Ellsworth, was the 104th episode -- and the last. A proposed seventh season never got off the ground, and Reeves died tragically in 1959, a supposed suicide. Thanks to these DVD compilations, however, he continues to fight a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way.